Do you see that? What? Where? Over there?  Look! This week Griffin learned to point and has been doing it non-stop!

It seems as though I didn’t pick up the camera much this week, but I was able to capture a well-rounded set of Finn’s expressions, and much pointing 😉

Kevin gave me this Three Lab Bakery artwork back when we were dating. He also gave me a pillow that matches, and ever since Finn was a tiny baby he has been mesmerized by the doggies on the wall. He becomes instantly calm and smiles and his eyes turn happy every time he sees the dogs. Kevin and Finn play a game, 1-2-3, where on the count of three Kevin slowly moves Finn in the air toward the doggies. He can be screaming, crying, happy, or whatever, and as soon as they begin the came he quiets down. Well, now he loves to point at the doggies and do a little babble talk.

Cuteness in a carseat. He was beat after a brief trip to the mall Friday night!

Saturday we visited our dear friend Jaime, her husband, daughter and newborn son! We caught up over lunch and got to hold their cute little boy – it’s hard to remember a baby being so tiny! The kids enjoyed playing together for a short bit too. 

Saturday Kevin and I went out for “date-night” and celebrated our 1-year Anniversary. Grandma and Grandpa Armstrong were going to be in town to visit other relatives and wanted to come over, however, we had already planned our date night and we were going to take Finn to the Bethune’s. So, instead, they came and babysat while we went out! They enjoyed some fun times with him and even got him to bed! We ended our night with cake and champagne. Our cake baker from our wedding makes a fresh cake for your first anniversary – so we had deep chocolate, and it was delish! 

And here is Lily, laying on a fluffy pile of sheets that I tossed over from the loft to the laundry room. I looked over and there she was. These girls always love a pile of fluff. 

Go Bucks! #1

Check out what Finn is sporting, yep you got it, a lower front tooth! I first spotted it on our drive down to Tennessee on Sunday. I was glad to know his recent lack of sleeping and increased fussiness was for good cause!

We’ve had a very relaxing week in Pigeon Forge, TN. We rented a cabin which worked out perfectly. We set Finn’s pack-n-play up in the loft and used the pool table as a changing table! We enjoyed plenty of time lazing around, watching tv, taking naps, and making food at the cabin.

We also went out on a few adventures. We spent a sunny afternoon at the Garden of Eden which is a place that rehabilitates birds and allows everyone to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. It is built into the rolling hills and was a nice afternoon. Neither Kevin nor myself have ever really been in to Ferris Wheels, but it seems as though it is becoming our new tradition! Finn went on his 3rd Ferris Wheel ride in Pigeon Forge. It opened in June so is still quite new and very nice. Somehow I forgot to get a picture of the entire Ferris Wheel, but you can tell we had fun. At least most of the time, as Finn got tired at the end. Beforehand we enjoyed a brat and fries at Poyner’s Pomme Frites – they were amazing, my dad would approve 🙂 We went to the Dixie Stampede, which is a Dolly Parton endeavor and this time of year it is a Christmas Show. It is a dinner show attraction with 22 live horses and riders. There is a lot of music, riding, skits, jokes, magic, live nativity scene (complete with camels and the three wise men, and angel and a dove, sheep, etc). It was a fun evening. We went to the 8:30 show and Finn was alert and watching the entire time. We had first row seats so we were very close to the horses and he loved it!

Pigeon Forge has the largest Christmas store in Tennessee (or at least eastern TN, I think!). We shopped a bit and took in the sights. The town was already decorated for the holidays. 

We spent the good portion of Saturday at Cade’s Cove in the Smoky Mountain National Park. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and we were able to get out and walk around at many of the stops along the driving tour. 

Gatlinburg was a short scenic drive with a nice lookout stop (below) so we went there a couple of times to walk around and have dinner. There is a lot of neat little shops (and some junky/touristy ones too!) and we enjoyed a tasty breakfast at the Pancake Pantry.

Griffin has mostly moved on to crawling entirely on his hands and knees. We don’t often see him doing the army crawl anymore. In the last week he is also throwing a tantrum here and there when you take away something he like playing with or move him so he can’t reach something. He throws his hands and kicks his feet and makes a mad face. Kinda cute, kinda not!! Perhaps some of his behavior is from his teething though I also think he is beginning to know what he does and does not like and he will let you know when he is mad!  He continues to eat well and really loves bananas.  Enjoy the shots below of us trying to capture Finn’s first tooth – can you tell what he thought about it?!

What better way to spend our first anniversary than hiking around in the beautiful outdoors in the Smoky Mountains with my hubby and little boy.  I love you, happy first anniversary!